Longarm (Transformers)

Last updated

Longarm is the name to four different fictional characters in the Transformers robot superhero franchise.

Transformers is a media franchise, produced by American toy company Hasbro and Japanese toy company Takara Tomy. Initially a line of transforming mecha toys rebranded from Takara's Diaclone and Microman toylines, the franchise began in 1984 with the Transformers toy line, and centers on extraterrestrial factions of sentient self-configuring modular robotic lifeforms in an endless civil war. In its history, the Transformers franchise has expanded to encompass comic books, animation, video games and films.

Contents

Transformers: Armada

Longarm
Transformers character
Longarm-armada.jpg
Longarm toy
Information
AffiliationMini-Con
Japanese nameHook
Rank5
PartnerRed Alert
Motto"Complacency does not compute." (Dreamwave)
"To save and protect life." (Hasbro)
Alternate modesCrane

Longarm (Hook in Japan) is the Mini-Con partner to Red Alert. He turns into a crane. He was later recolored into a Powerlinx form along with Red Alert. His vehicle mode is not the size of an actual crane, it is too small for a person to ride inside but is able to perform all the functions of an actual crane.

Red Alert is the name of several characters in the various fictional Transformers series in the Transformers robot superhero franchise.

Powerlink is a term from Transformers Armada and Transformers Energon that refers to a combination between two or more Transformers, or a Transformer and a robotic object.

Animated series

Longarm first appeared in episode #3, called "Base". He last appeared in episode #43, called "Puppet".

Dreamwave Productions

Longarm appeared among the Mini-Cons in issue #18 of the Transformers: Armada comic book who aided Over-Run using the Mini-Con Matrix in the defeat of Unicron.

Unicron fictional character

Unicron is a fictional character from the many continuities in the Transformers universe and toyline. Created by Floro Dery, he was introduced in the 1986 animated film The Transformers: The Movie and has since reappeared in Transformers: Armada, Transformers: Energon, Transformers: Cybertron, Transformers: Prime, Transformers: The Last Knight and Atari's 2004 Transformers video game. Unicron is a prodigiously large robot whose scale reaches planetary proportions, and he is also able to transform into the giant Planet X. Unicron's origin has expanded over the years from simply being a large robot to being a god of chaos who devours realities. He often employs the help of Decepticons in his work, and in some stories is considered part of the origin of the Decepticon forces.

Longarm is a Mini-Con that whom Red Alert resuscitated from near-terminal stasis lock. The new Longarm still retains the same goodnatured personality circuits and compulsions of the original, but his memory banks are now in a blank slate. Possessing a logic-centric mentality, Longarm serves as Red Alert's "second brain." He is able to greatly enhance Red Alert's already impressive cognitive abilities during the Powerlink process, allowing the Autobot to "muiti-task" in the truest sense of the word. While Longarm is able to analyze and diagnose technical problems, Red Alert can simultaneously solve other issues or perform completely separate tasks. ≈

Toys

The Mini-Con Partner to Armada Red Alert.
A redeco of the original Longarm toy.
Built to Rule is a building toy series similar to Lego - This version of Longarm is a small toy designed to look like his Armada form able to separate into individual bricks and reform into his alternate form. He was packaged with Built to Rule Red Alert.
Longarm was a repaint of his Armada toy and came packaged with his new Autobot partner Prowl (who was a repaint of the Armada Red Alert toy), Starscream and Zapmaster; both repaints of their original Armada toys. This package was sold at Sam's Club stores.

Transformers: Cybertron

Longarm
Transformers character
Information
AffiliationMini-Con
Sub-groupGiant Planet Mini-Con Team
Rank4
PartnerDeepdive and Overcast
Alternate modesCrane

The name Longarm was reused for a member of the Giant Planet Mini-Con Team allies with the Decepticons. This Longarm also turned into a crane. He has not appeared in any fiction.

The Giant Planet Mini-Con Team are portrayed as three independent Mini-Cons from the planet Gigantion who refuse to work with the larger Transformers of that planet.

Fun Publications

Longarm's biography was published in issue 13 of the Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club magazine. Longarm is the brawn of the group, since he clearly lacks brains of any stripe. He's basically good for little more than smashing stuff. [1]

Toys

Cybertron Longarm was released near the end of the Transformers: Cybertron line. He was packaged together with his partners Deepdive and Overcast. He was a Hasbro exclusive, not released by Takara.
Later releases of the Classics Ultimate Battle Pack of Optimus Prime and Megatron included two randomly picked member of the Giant Planet Mini-Con team as a bonus.
Longarm was redecoed into Astro-Hook.

Transformers

Longarm
Transformers character
Longarm-movietoy.jpg
Longarm movie toy
Information
AffiliationAutobot
Sub-groupDeluxe Vehicle
FunctionMechanic, Sniper, Warrior, Security Officer
Rank4
PartnerBreakaway, Bumblebee, Salvage, Landmine, Mikaela Banes
Motto"It never hurts to help."

"Complacency does not compute."

"To save and protect life."

"What can I do to help?!"
Alternate modes GMC Topkick, Ford F-350 Tow Truck, Cybertronian Entry Mode Protoform

Longarm is the name of an Autobot tow-truck in the 2007 Transformers movie toy line who just wants to help out. He is proud of being an Autobot, because he just wants to help others, saving lives, and protecting the weak. He just doesn't understand the Decepticons at all.

<i>Transformers</i> (film) 2007 science fiction film directed by Michael Bay

Transformers is a 2007 American science fiction action film based on the Transformers toy line. The film, which combines computer animation with live-action filming, was directed by Michael Bay, with Steven Spielberg serving as executive producer. It was produced by Don Murphy and Tom DeSanto, and is the first installment in the live-action Transformers film series. The film stars Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky, a teenager who gets caught up in a war between the heroic Autobots and the villainous Decepticons, two factions of alien robots who can disguise themselves by transforming into everyday machinery, primarily vehicles. The Autobots intend to retrieve and use the AllSpark, the object that created their robotic race that is on Earth, to rebuild their home planet Cybertron and end the war, while the Decepticons have the intention of using it to build an army by giving life to the machines of Earth. Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel, Anthony Anderson, Megan Fox, Rachael Taylor, John Turturro, and Jon Voight also star, while voice actors Peter Cullen and Hugo Weaving voice Optimus Prime and Megatron respectively.

Although the first release of Longarm as a toy doesn't mention his part in the Transformers film, the second toy, which is more movie-accurate, clearly states that he is the tow truck that saved Bumblebee, brought to life in the final battle for the Allspark.

Conversely the novel The Veiled Threat depicts Longarm as being an experienced Autobot from Cybertron who came to Earth in response to Optimus Prime's signal.

Movie plot

The truck that inspired the design for Longarm Toyline-movie.jpg
The truck that inspired the design for Longarm

In the 2007 feature film Transformers , Longarm's alternate mode was the tow truck that saved Bumblebee due to losing his legs to Starscream, along with Mikaela. While the tow truck in the movie and Longarm are similar looking, the truck in the film is a GMC, while the Longarm toy is a similarly designed Ford. One side of the truck his phone number 1-800-555-MIKE, while others say 1-800-555-0199. MIKE, however, translates to 6453, not 0199, on a telephone number pad.

IDW Publishing

In Revenge of the Fallen: Alliance #1 Longarm and Salvage are among the vehicles from Mission City taken into custody by Sector 7 agents after the battle for the Allspark.

In The Reign of Starscream issue # 3 a vehicle resembling Longarm appears among the vehicles held by Sector 7.

Longarm and Salvage are rescuing human workers at an oil plant disaster in Dallian, China when the Decepticons Shockwave and Astrotrain crash to Earth. [2]

Titan Magazines

Note: Events occurring in the alternate universe where Megatron won the battle of Mission City are in italics.

In "Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part 1" Skyblast lead the Autobots Arcee, Armorhide, Elita One, Longarm and Strongarm who in resisting the Decepticons who had conquered Earth in an alternate reality. In part 3 Starscream and Scorponok attack the Autobots Arcee, Armorhide, Elita One, Longarm, Skyblast and Strongarm on the moon. The Autobots flee to Earth, which is exactly what Starscream hoped they'd do. In part 4 Ratchet and Ironhide continued fighting Bonecrusher in Savannah, but didn't stand much of a chance until they were joined by Arcee, Armoride and Longarm, arriving from the moon. In this story Longarm resembles his deluxe class toy in robot mode, but assumes a Cybertronian "protoform entry mode" for his vehicle mode.

Unlike the IDW stories where Longarm is supposed to be the truck used to carry Bumblebee in the finale of the film, this Longarm is depicted as coming from Cybertron.

Video games

In Transformers: The Game, Longarm acts as solid-fighting drones for the Autobot and Decepticon armies (generally Decepticon). Autobot versions are white & blue, Decepticon versions are white & yellow. Both drones can unleash a spinning tow-cable attack which can only be stopped by throwing an object at them - only at appropriate time.

Longarm is a playable character in the PSP version. Instead of an Autobot, Longarm is a Decepticon with the lens-head.

Books

Longarm appears among the Autobot members of N.E.S.T. in the book Transformers: The Veiled Threat by Alan Dean Foster. Longarm trains among the Autobots in Diego Garcia. He later joins Knock Out on a mission to Peru to find Decepticons that have been detected in the deep jungles. On a steep mountain pass, the party is attacked by Decepticons Ruination and Blademaster. Despite inexperienced and risky behavior by Knock Out, both Decepticons are severely damaged and driven off.

Toys

A Deluxe toy that is able to fire a missile from his weapon. The tow truck form is based on the vehicle Mikaela and Bumblebee used to battle Brawl in the movie; though in the movie, the truck was a GMC. The actual 2008 Ford F150 is 202 centimeters wide, while this toy is 7 centimeters wide, for a scale of about 1/29. [3]
Deluxe Longarm comes packaged in this mini-diorama with a legless version of Robot Replicas Bumblebee. Unlike the regular packaged version, this version of Longarm is decorated with "Mike's Towing" labels as seen on the film instead of "Orson's Towing." It also has a little driver figure of Mikaela inside. [4] [5]
Part of a four pack partnered with Breakaway. This version of Longarm has a variant of the original toy's deco.

Transformers Animated

Longarm
Transformers character
Voiced by (English) Corey Burton
Voiced by (Japanese) Nobuyuki Hiyama
Information
AffiliationAutobot
Sub-groupVoyagers
Function Autobot boot camp member, Head of Autobot Intelligence.
Rank8 (Takara), Prime
Alternate modesCybertronian Crane

According to Shockwave's toy bio, Longarm was the name of a historical Autobot who fought in the Great War. His identity was stolen by Shockwave. Shockwave acquired this alternate identity to infiltrate Cybertronian Intelligence. As Longarm, he given the rank of Prime.

Animated series

Shattered Glass

Related Research Articles

Starscream character from the Transformers franchise

Starscream is a fictional character in the many continuities in the Transformers franchise. He is one of the most frequently occurring characters in the Transformers fictional work, appearing in almost all continuities of the Transformers franchise. Generally depicted as a deadly Decepticon who transforms into a jet fighter and who serves as Megatron's second-in-command, Starscream's defining trait is his desire to supplant Megatron as Decepticon leader.

Arcee is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers franchise. They are female Autobots, usually pink or blue in color. Being the most famous of the Female Autobots, she has made more appearances and has had several more incarnations than any other female Transformer. Originally she turned into a car, however, later incarnations have turned into motorcycles. The character has gained much notability upon appearing in Transformers: Prime, even though that incarnation is significantly altered than the others. Arcee's design, alternate mode, and personality vary depending on continuity. Usually colored pink and white, she has also been depicted as a blue-colored character, and Botcon storyline saw her reformatted into a Maximal spider.

Shockwave is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers robot superhero franchise. Throughout his incarnations, he is usually distinguished by a laser cannon instead of one of his hands and his distinctive face, which is featureless save for a single robotic eye. He is also commonly portrayed as a cold, emotionless Decepticon that serves as Megatron's "mad scientist". Due to issues with Hasbro's trademark of the name Shockwave, some products were also released under the name Shockblast or "Shockblast the Great".

Soundwave is a fictional character appearing in the various Transformers continuities in the Transformers robot superhero franchise. His most well-known transformation is that of a microcassette recorder. Throughout most of his incarnations, he is an undying loyal lieutenant of the Decepticon leader Megatron. He is Megatron's eyes and ears and, in some interpretations, only speaks when mocking the Autobots.

Jazz is a fictional robot superhero character from the Transformers robot superhero franchise. He is usually portrayed as a music-loving robot and speaks in slang. He is also Optimus Prime's good friend and right-hand man.

Wheeljack is a fictional robot superhero character in the Transformers robot superhero franchise. Wheeljack is usually depicted as a very smart mad scientist who has invented numerous creations, including the Dinobots in Generation 1. His most useful invention is an almost impenetrable mask with bulbs on each side that light up when he talks. He is one of Optimus Prime's closest friends. In many incarnations, Wheeljack is an Autobot, but he is sometimes portrayed as a Decepticon.

Bumblebee (<i>Transformers</i>) character from the Transformers franchise

Bumblebee, designation B-127, is a fictional robot superhero in the many continuities in the Transformers franchise. The character is a member of the Autobots, a group of sentient self-configuring modular extraterrestrial robotic lifeforms.

Mudflap is the name of three fictional characters in the Transformers series.

Sideswipe is a fictional robot superhero character in the Transformers franchise. Because of trademark restrictions, toys of the character are sometimes marketed as SideSwipe.

Ramjet is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers toy-based robot superhero media franchise. All have been Decepticon-aligned characters who turn into jets, usually white in color.

Cliffjumper is the name of several fictional robot superhero characters from the Transformers robot superhero franchise. His name is usually associated with an Autobot whose toys are often red repaints or remold of Bumblebee toys.

Transformers Classics is a line of Transformers toys based on and resembling the first generation (G1) characters introduced in the 1980s. The toy line was created to fill the gap in Transformers product releases between the end of the Transformers: Cybertron series and the start of 2007 live-action movie; as well as tie-in to the release of the Transformers: The Movie 20th Anniversary Special Edition DVD edition, and later Transformers Animated, then in Transformers Universe Classics / Henkei.

Legends is a Transformers toy line introduced in 2005.

Barricade is the name of four fictional characters in the various Transformers series in the Transformers franchise.

Transformers: Generations

Transformers: Generations is a 2010 toy line by Hasbro. Much like the preceding Universe toy line, Generations covers different eras of Transformers; here, the toys are based upon characters from Generation 1 and the video game Transformers: War for Cybertron, as well as the Transformers comics by IDW Publishing. The figures consist of new molds as well as redecos of ones originally used in the Classics and Universe lines. These Deluxe Class figures stand at about 5.5 to 6 inches tall and feature intermediate to moderate transformation levels.

Smokescreen is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers robot superhero franchise.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon is a film which has an associated toy line released in 2011 by Hasbro. The film, and thus the toy line, is based on the original Transformers media franchise. The first toy in this line is Cyberverse Commander Optimus Prime, which was released on March 2011. The official launch date of the toy line was May 16, 2011.

Jolt is the name of five fictional characters in the Transformers series in the Transformers robot superhero franchise. The original Jolt was a Decepticon hot rod with a sword who was introduced in 1994. Portrayed in a variety of incarnations, the most recent version of Jolt is a Superheroic Autobot who appeared in the 2009 film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

References

  1. ↑ "Micro-Sized". Transformers Collectors Club magazine. Fun Publications. February–March 2007. p. 6.
  2. ↑ John Barber (w), Carlos Magno (p), Aburtov and Graphiksslava (i). Transformers: Rising Storm 1(February 2011),IDW Publishing
  3. ↑ Cliffbee.com: Transformer Toy Reviews: Movie Longarm
  4. ↑ http://www.collectiondx.com/node/2358 review of Movie Scenes Final Stand on CollectionDX.com
  5. ↑ OAFE - Transformers Screen Battles: Final Stand review
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.